Les Paul Studio Faded 2016 vs Telecaster Mexico

**sbstsch** · 05-05-2016, 08:14 AM

Hi,

what about these Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded 2016 T?
Are them better than a Fender Telecaster Mexican in terms of quality?
I don't care about aesthetics or jazz-like tone, I mean what is the best guitar in your opinion?

Thank you!

**mr. beaumont** · 05-05-2016, 08:31 AM

What are your needs though? Because these are apples and oranges.

Both are decent quality. If you've played a regular Les Paul, the stripped down feel might seem out of place, whereas a stripped down tele is pretty much...a tele.

**jazzbow** · 05-05-2016, 08:37 AM

Buying mass produced musical instruments is like buying a new shirt; they all look the same but some will fit better than others.

The best guitar is the one that helps you express musical ideas without obstruction.

With that deep statement take it to mean get a good set up on your new guitar what ever it is. It's surprising how many new guitars ship requiring more set up work.

I generally do not like the shorter scale length that LP's, ES335's and ES175's have. I prefer the longer scale and feel of the string tension.

I had a LP studio in for a set up (the factory QC was crap). It was a matt black one made entirely from mahogany and y'know I really connected with it. I loved the tone, the way it played after the deluxe Jazzbow set up and it really resonated! Unfortunately had to give it back!

I've played a Mex Baja and it was ok. Lots going on with that one. I would have to try a load of them until I find the right one. I spent a day trying loads of Tele's of all shapes and sizes, I ended up buying a Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster. Now that guitar really suits me and my shovel like hands. I love it to death. Best guitar ever.

Don't fixate on this and that, look for the one that feels great.

Of course if you are in the market for a major purchase for the top drawer stuff then again you'll have to try lots until you find the right one.

**sbstsch** · 05-05-2016, 08:42 AM

I need a solid body to play while my daughters are sleeping...
I have a "too loud" archtop! (not really "loud").

So I'm simply searching for a cheap good guitar.

**sbstsch** · 05-05-2016, 08:44 AM

Ps I can't find a Les Paul in store where I live, so can't try it...

**Greentone** · 05-05-2016, 09:35 AM

Apples and oranges is right. Both guitars are really nice for playing all sorts of music. Me...I'd go with the thinline Telecaster. It covers all the bases nicely.

**vintagelove** · 05-05-2016, 09:43 AM

Short scale for me. YMMV

**sbstsch** · 05-05-2016, 10:19 AM

Ok I'll go for a Les Paul online... and send it back for a refund if I don't like it!
Thank you for the very good advices!

**Alder Statesman** · 05-05-2016, 01:56 PM

Apples and oranges is right.

One biggest differences is that faded satin finish on the Les Paul. I checked out several in the shop and they were all covered with nicks, dings and scratches. The satin is just very fragile.

If you like humbuckers, you may want to consider an Epiphone LP or or spring for a more expensive Gibby if you do not want "a self-relic'ing" guitar.

If you like relics and humbuckers, you found your guitar.

**mr. beaumont** · 05-05-2016, 02:01 PM

Yeah, and like I said, that might not bother you...but if you're used to a glossy, shiny Les Paul with binding and all that, those Studios are gonna look "cheap."

Meanwhile, you play a tele that doesn't smell like beer and cigarettes and you think, "wow, this is pretty nice."

**Boston Joe** · 05-05-2016, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Yeah, and like I said, that might not bother you...but if you're used to a glossy, shiny Les Paul with binding and all that, those Studios are gonna look "cheap."

Meanwhile, you play a tele that doesn't smell like beer and cigarettes and you think, "wow, this is pretty nice."

Or do you think, "What's wrong with this thing? It's not broken in properly."

**mr. beaumont** · 05-05-2016, 02:06 PM

"Man, this one must suck. Ain't nobody used it."

**sbstsch** · 05-05-2016, 05:49 PM

Yes I do love that relic-like look... I'm only worried about the overall quality of the instrument...

**Alder Statesman** · 05-05-2016, 06:33 PM

I actually planned to buy the new LP satin finish with the P90's in January. It sounded okay, but fit and finish on the ones I played were inferior. I have never seen such low grade rosewood on the fingerboard. The satin finish was not only prone to damage by ordinary handling, but it had a tacky feel that caused my hand to drag going up and down the neck.

In the end I spent nearly double on my Tele, but I am glad I did. It is not that I have to have a pristine guitar, but I do want something that will hold up with day to day playing and the occasion trip from the house. Those LP's will not do that nor will they hold their value.

Just my opinion.

**Al_F** · 05-05-2016, 06:54 PM

Think that the fact that Telecaster's design translate so well into less expensive guitars is a testament to the elegance of the design. I don't have a Mex tele, but have CV50 Tele made in asia that is the bomb. Do have a classic 50's Mex made Strat that is super nice as well , think the Mexican fenders are really good values as well. I'd go with the tele.

**citizenk74** · 05-05-2016, 07:50 PM

Since this is to be a quiet practice instrument, I would go with the one whose scale length matches that of your current arch-top.

**entresz** · 05-05-2016, 08:42 PM

I'd choose the Telecaster personally. That's not to say that the Les Paul could be just as good sounding, it's more the fact that those faded 'finishes' on those Gibsons are horrible. I tried out a black 50s tribute Les Paul and I had black paint on my hands after playing it for 10 minutes. In saying that, it did sound really nice.

**sbstsch** · 05-06-2016, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Archtop Bill

I actually planned to buy the new LP satin finish with the P90's in January. It sounded okay, but fit and finish on the ones I played were inferior. I have never seen such low grade rosewood on the fingerboard. The satin finish was not only prone to damage by ordinary handling, but it had a tacky feel that caused my hand to drag going up and down the neck.

In the end I spent nearly double on my Tele, but I am glad I did. It is not that I have to have a pristine guitar, but I do want something that will hold up with day to day playing and the occasion trip from the house. Those LP's will not do that nor will they hold their value.

Just my opinion.

What do you mean for "low grade rosewood"?

**Drifter** · 05-06-2016, 04:06 AM

You primarily want the guitar to play unplugged while your daughters are sleeping? I guess you'll play seated then? A Tele is much more comfortable playing seated. Especially if you're used to bigger archtops.

**boatheelmusic** · 05-06-2016, 04:33 AM

The Baja Tele is quite nice, with a neck that feels just like my ES175.

**Boston Joe** · 05-06-2016, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Al_F

Think that the fact that Telecaster's design translate so well into less expensive guitars is a testament to the elegance of the design. I don't have a Mex tele, but have CV50 Tele made in asia that is the bomb. Do have a classic 50's Mex made Strat that is super nice as well , think the Mexican fenders are really good values as well. I'd go with the tele.

I have a MexiStrat that's a lovely instrument. It's kind of a plain jane to look at, but it plays and sounds great. At a $600 price point new, it's really hard to beat. I did an A/B with my friend's $2,000 custom shop strat, and while I'd definitely say that the Custom Shop strat was a better instrument, was it four times better? Not really. It was a beautiful piece, but as a player's guitar, it was only a little bit better.

I've got a Highway 1 Tele that's also excellent quality. The new Modern Player Teles look pretty great too, and very affordable.

Neither of these guitars is going to get oohs and ahhs the way my Ibanez does, but they play and sound terrific. The mid-grade Fenders are really nice these days.

**Max405** · 05-06-2016, 08:12 AM

A couple of years ago I was doing a regular thing at a coffee shop. It was just me playing solo, to backing tracks and a little singing (thank god only a little..). I took my Les Paul with me one night and I hate to say it, but it was heaven compared to the ES175 I was using. I ended up using that guitar from then on. It made the job easier for me. I have a VERY light touch. The sustain of a Les Paul is incredible for me. It made soloing to backing tracks pretty much effortless for my style. The guitar cut through everything. It was thick yet warm, and very convincing as a Jazz Guitar. I am not a tall guy, and the LP is made to be played standing up. Best of all, I had no worry about feedback, regardless of my playing position. After all these years, I am still surprised LP's aren't used more often in a Jazz setting.
The cheaper LP's are pretty much the same as the more expensive ones. The recipe is similar and, well, perfect. But I am very picky about having white or cream bindings on the neck, so I because of that reason, I sort of require an upscale model.

Good Luck.
By the way, I never had a Tele. I have a Strat now. I use it about once a year..

Joe D.

**silverfoxx** · 05-06-2016, 08:34 AM

Joe,
I recommend the LP Es , it doesn't feed back , weighs only 6lbs
It has MHS pickups , if you take a look on a post I did recently
there is a pic of mine in Lemonburst. Plays itself. You might also
Notice the 2016 Elite Tele which has remarkable improvements
on previous incarnations , in all respects. I have had Strats but
Suggest the Tele is more versatile IMO.
currently waiting on Gibson delivery of an Es275 MB.this week
hopefully.

Cheers Alan

**Max405** · 05-06-2016, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by silverfoxx

Joe,
I recommend the LP Es , it doesn't feed back , weighs only 6lbs
It has MHS pickups , if you take a look on a post I did recently
there is a pic of mine in Lemonburst. Plays itself. You might also
Notice the 2016 Elite Tele which has remarkable improvements
on previous incarnations , in all respects. I have had Strats but
Suggest the Tele is more versatile IMO.
currently waiting on Gibson delivery of an Es275 MB.this week
hopefully.

Cheers Alan

Yes! I am so glad you got one Alan. The 275 is a Beauty! Especially with the fancy wood and the Montreux Burst!
Wow Buddy. I am happy for you bigtime! Please do an NGD for sure. I cant wait to see it.

I missed the LP Es post. Gotta check it out.

Thanks, Joe D.

**Alder Statesman** · 05-06-2016, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by sbstsch

What do you mean for "low grade rosewood"?

The fingerboards on the three I looked at were very light colored and loosely grained. They were not smooth either, but rough. Granted these are inexpensive for Gibby's, but they looked like fingerboards from some $200 knock offs, not made in the USA guitars. Epiphones have a better grade of rosewood and they are smoother.